We all want to think that if the moment came when we needed to be heroes, we’d jump at the opportunity to help someone without thinking anything of it. However, many of us would truly be paralyzed by fear, especially in a situation where we could potentially lose our own lives to save others.

For Darius Dillard and Nate Williams, the fear that they could potentially lose their own lives wasn’t enough to prevent them from risking it all to save a family they’d never met before.

The two cousins were hanging out in their neighborhood in Rochester, New York when they saw clouds of black smoke pouring out from a second-story window in a house across the street. Darius and Nate didn’t think anything of it as they ran across the street to the entrance of the house, which was rapidly becoming engulfed in flames. The door was locked, but that didn’t deter the brave cousins. They kicked it down and rushed into a house that was fast filling with thick, black smoke.

On the second floor, Darius and Nate found a family that was attempting to grab their belongings instead of making a run for it. The smart young men insisted that the family leave immediately, regardless of what worldly possessions they had in their arms. After viewing the scope of the fire from outside the house, the cousins knew that they all had very little time.

The family made their escape, while the cousins attempted to put out the fire, but the smoke was becoming too thick and starting to choke them. Wisely, the men fled the property.

The local fire department soon arrived at the scene. The deputy chief of the Rochester Fire Department praised the cousins for their heroic actions but strongly warned others that going into a burning building with no equipment or training could easily result in one’s serious injury or demise.

While being interviewed by Rochesterfirst, Darius and Nate insisted that they weren’t heroes and that they simply did for other human beings what they would want someone to do for them. Although they’re humble and don’t want to be called heroic for their actions, their local community is in awe of their courage and their bravery in such a dangerous situation.

What would you have done in a similar situation? Let us know in the comments and be sure to show this story to as many people as possible so that these amazing young men get the praise and attention they deserve.